Thousands Turn Out for National Day of Action to Raise the Minimum Wage

Hard working people need a raise. That’s the message thousands of working people in cities across the country sent to employers and lawmakers on Tuesday. Raising the minimum wage is an important step toward an economy that works for everyone, not just the richest 1%. That’s why current elected officials and those who are pursuing elected office need to stand with the 99%

Here in Minnesota Several constituents of U.S. Representative John Kline (MN-02) have approached the Republican member of Congress recently, asking him to change his position and support a raise in the federal minimum wage. On Sunday, Terri Buttleman of Mendota Heights visited Kline’s campaign office in Burnsville to ask him to support an increase in the minimum wage. He told her that he continued to oppose such a move.

Raise the Minimum Wage

Yesterday, James L. Peng of Inver Grove Heights visited Kline’s district office in Burnsville, seeking to meet with Rep. Kline. Upon being told that Kline was not in the office, Peng left a letter asking Kline to support an increase in the federal minimum wage and requesting that he consider agreeing to live on $290 a week, the gross wages of someone working 40 hours a week at minimum wage.

“Perhaps it’s difficult to imagine what $290 a week might look like,” Peng wrote. “We’d like to encourage you to consider trying to live on that amount for one week. After all, it isn’t easy to understand one’s personal experience if you haven’t encountered that experience yourself.”

Minnesotans living in the Second Congressional District plan to continue calling on Rep. Kline to support a living wage for all of his constituents. As Peng and others wait for an official response, they will join together to make sure that Kline is aware of their position on this issue.